I'll post this initial work and cleanup on our new to us 96 Scamp 13 in the maintenance section, and then when I get to the mods I'll be adding I'll post those in the modifications section.
First, a good initial washing was done last weekend. This simple step revealed a whole different 13 Scamp that was hidden under years of AZ Brown storage dirt.
Next, after clearing everything off the tongue and removing the spare tire, I began test polishing the bottom sections on the front and rear of the trailer so that I could replace the equipment on the tongue and remount the spare tire with a brand new tire cover. Since the chalking was about a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale I tried a new product that had very good reviews on marine sites:
3M Marine Restorer and Wax (16.9 fl-Ounce)
I used a power car polisher to apply the product and I have to say it restored to gelcoat to almost original condition. Round 2 will be to finish polishing the remaining sections of the Scamp. I'll polish/wax it again in about 60-90 days to bring it back and protect it from any further chalking.
Here was the condition of tongue:
After a complete wire brushing and a can of Rustoleum Paint/Primer you get this:
Now on to the rear bumper:
After a complete wire brushing and a can of Rustoleum Paint/Primer
Cost/time for these cleanup items:
3M Wax-Restorer $17
Power polish bottom sections front and rear approximately 30 minutes.
2 cans Rustoleum black primer/paint $8
Wire brush/paint tongue and rear bumper 1 hr.
If you have a Molded Fiberglass Trailer that needs a pop, one of the simplest and best things to do outside of a good shell polish/wax is to wire brush any rust and reshoot the tounge/bumper. It is not a difficult job and it really pops an older trailer. Also, a good time to rework your mechanicals when they are off the trailer.
Next up, I'll be putting the equipment back on the tongue, putting the spare tire and new cover on, completing the polishing/wax, and adding the missing rear stabilizers back on the rear bumper.
Adco (1759) Polar White Type N Tire Cover
Pair of Telescoping Trailer Stabilizer Jacks(1000lb capacity each)
Upcoming mods I'll be doing after the cleanup:
- Bringing 12V lines to the passenger side of the Scamp
- Adding Shurflo pump and new faucet to the onboard water system
- Adding city water inlet
- Adding a porchlight
- Adding LED reading light on passenger side main bed
- Changing out all interior lighting to LED and new fixtures
- Removing Scamp wrought iron support and changing to a chrome support pole with rosette bases.
- Putting new cabinet doors
- Changing to Allure flooring
Stay tuned!
Thanks Greg for the informative post. As a 3-day old owner of a 2005 13', I really appreciate the advice.
Question: How much of the 3M Restorer Wax did you buy? As the price has gone up to just under $10, how many bottles did you need to give your 13'-er the once around all over?
I'm also thinking of replacing the 12V lights with LEDs -- I'll be watching for your post.
Thanks - jon
2005 Scamp 13'
Dear Jon: (sorry, I couldn't resist the salutation)
The 3M restorer is actually 50% less than what Greg paid for it, not more.
Happy Scamping !!!
PS: I am ordering My 3M restorer right now $9 plus free Amazon Prime shipping !
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
I should buy some more and store it.![smiley smiley](//cdn.ckeditor.com/4.4.0/full-all/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.png)
Hi Jon,
I have done a complete polish of the 13 Scamp and still have about half of the original bottle, probably enough for a second go round this fall.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Hi Greg,
I've been seeing a lot of discussion on what to use to bring back the original look. I'm picking up a 2001 16' this weekend and plan on using something this fall to clean it up. I've seen the Meguiar's 3 step program with M4916 Marine/RV Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover as the starter. Would you use that or the 3M restorer you've written about? With the Meguiar's, the next step is the M4516 Marine/RV Polish & Gloss Enhancer and finishing up with the Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax. So is the Polish & Gloss Enhancer (step 2) necessary? Any thoughts/opinions are appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Boat people turned me on to the 3M restorer and have had tremendous results with it as a first step on two older chalked trailers. Getting ready to do a third. I use a Ryobi power buffer with the 3M restorer to apply it, then take it off by hand. Sometimes go over the trailer twice with that step depending how bad the chalk. Then I use the Meguiars Premium Marine wax by hand. Once the trailer is restored and maintained, usually two waxings the first year, you can just use the Meguiars going forward.
I haven't used the Meguiars kit, mainly because this process is working so well for me.
About 5 additional posts in the Table of Contents in the Maintenance forum on cleaning and waxing.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Thanks Greg, If I can by with a 2 step process vs 3 step, I'm all in. Can't wait to pick it up. All I've seen are pictures and there is caulk around the windows, connections on the belly and the rain trough above the door. Might try to clean up the caulk first and if time permits b4 winter (Colorado) I'll do the polishing and waxing. If not, may need to wait until a sunny spring day.